How to read a UK energy bill
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In short. A UK energy bill must include the supplier name, customer account number, MPAN (electricity) or MPRN (gas), tariff name, period covered, opening and closing meter reads, unit rates and standing charges for each fuel, VAT at 5%, and the total amount due. Suppliers must also show a comparison against the most recent meter read and an annual usage estimate.
Ofgem's Standards of Conduct require bills to be clear and accurate. Despite that, bill design varies between suppliers — the elements below appear on essentially every bill, though sometimes labelled differently.
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Identifiers to find on every bill
- Account number (the supplier's reference)
- MPAN — Meter Point Administration Number for electricity (21 digits, sometimes shown as 'Supply Number')
- MPRN — Meter Point Reference Number for gas (6–10 digits)
- Tariff name and end date (if a fixed deal)
- Exit fees, if any, for leaving early
Charges
- Unit rate (p/kWh) — what each unit of energy costs (separate rates for electricity and gas; Economy 7 meters have day and night rates)
- Standing charge (p/day) — fixed daily fee per fuel, charged whether energy is used or not
- VAT — domestic energy is charged at 5%
- Total balance, balance brought forward, payments received, current balance owed
Meter reads and estimates
Bills based on estimated reads carry an 'E' next to the read; actual reads are marked 'A' (or 'C' for customer-provided). Estimated bills can be corrected by providing a current read. Smart meters in 'smart mode' send readings automatically every half-hour or every day.
Suppliers must produce a bill within 6 weeks of an accurate meter read. Bills more than 12 months old that haven't been billed before are barred from collection under the 'back-billing rules' (UNC and Standard Licence Condition 21BA).
FAQ
- What is the difference between my MPAN and MPRN?
- MPAN is the unique reference for an electricity supply point; MPRN is the unique reference for a gas supply point. Both stay the same regardless of who the supplier is — handy for switching.
- Why does my bill keep changing if I'm on Direct Debit?
- Variable Direct Debits change based on actual usage, the time of year and any building credit/debit balance. Suppliers must review Direct Debits at least once a year and explain any change in writing.
- What if my bill is for more than a year of unbilled usage?
- Under Ofgem's back-billing rules, suppliers cannot charge for energy used more than 12 months ago if they did not invoice for it. This applies even where the supplier did not have an accurate meter read.